Starter for use with water skis



April 20, 1965 P. CORMIER 3,179,222

STARTER FOR USE WITH WATER SKIS Origina1 Filed Feb. 14, 1962 l /l/l/l/IJQ E 1/1/0014 V INVENTOR PAUL L. OORM'ER BYMQ/ "4917 A ORNEY UnitedStates Patent Ofiice 3,179,222 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 3,179,222 STARTERFOR USE WITH WATER SKIS Paul L. Cormier, 40 Lincoln St., Spencer, Mass.Continuation of application Ser. No. 173,173, Feb. 14, 1962. Thisapplication Oct. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 403,691

. 4Clairns. (Cl. 193--35) This invention relates to a starter for usewith water skis and, more particularly, to apparatus arranged to provideinitial support and movement for a person who is to be towed on waterskis by a motor boat. This is a continuation of my co-pending patentapplication Serial Number 173,173, filed February 14, 1962.

It will be understood that in the sport of water skiing, thehydrodynamic lift on the skis and the skier does not become suflicientlygreat to support him on the surface of the water until he has attained acertain critical speed. Since the skier, before he is started, isstanding in a fixed position on the shore or on a clock, it is necessarythat he be brought from zero speed to the critical speed as quickly aspossible lest he sink below the surface of the water, in which eventstarting would be impossible. If the motor boat starts from Zero speedand the cable is maintained in taut condition, the skier accelerates atthe same rate as the boat and, if the motor boat does not havesufficient power to accelerate rapidly, the skier will never be able toobtain the critical supporting speed before he sinks into the water. If,on the other hand, the boat circles and moves away from the skier withthe rope in a loose condition, the boat attains the taut condition ofthe rope while moving away from the skier at an appreciable speed; itwill then be possible for the boat to accelerate the skier very rapidly.In the past, when this style of starting has been attempted, quite oftenthe skier has been jerked forward, falling on his face; sometimes hisarms have been severely damaged by the sudden shock. Furthermore, inmany places the shore conditions are not conducive to starting either byrapid acceleration of the boat from zero speed or by the boat picking upthe skier on the. fly; such conditions are those in which the shore isvery rocky or the area in front of the pickup start was not free ofother boats or swimmers. These and other difficulties experienced withthe prior art procedures and apparatus have been obviated in a novelmanner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide astarter for a water skier, which starter may be readily andinexpensively manufactured from easily obtainable materials and which issimple in construction, whereby maintenance problems are reduced to amini mum.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus forthe rapid acceleration of a water skier or the like, which apparatus isreadily movable from one place to another.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a waterski starting apparatus which operates effectively irrespective ofwhether the skier uses two skis or one ski.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a starter for awater skier which is extremely safe to use and which will maintain theskis in parallel relationship until the skier has accelerated to ahighrate of speed.

.it is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus forsafely and effectively guiding a keeled ski during rapid acceleration.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a waterskiing starter. which may be used without previous experience ortraining by beginners and handicapped persons. With these and otherobjects in view,as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, theinvention resides in the combination of parts set forth in thespecification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

The character of the invention, however, may be best understood byreference to one of its structural forms as illustrated by theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of an apparatus embodying the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus taken on the lineIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of an element of the invention takenon the line IIIIII of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus taken on the lineIV'IV of FIG. 2.

Referring first to FIG. 1, wherein are shown the general features of theinvention, the starter, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10,is shown as consisting of a main body 11 supported on four legs 12, 13,14, and 15 and provided with a removable seat 16. The main body 11 isprovided with four horizontally-elongated parallel walls or partitions17, 18, 19, and 21 held together by horizontal cross pieces 22 (see FIG.2). Between the partitions 17 and 18 are located parallel vertical guidewalls 23 and 24 and between the partitions 19 and 21 are located similarparallel vertical guide walls 25 and 26. The bottom edges of all of theguide walls are fastened to and supported by the cross. pieces 22.Between each of the partitions 17, 18, 19, and 21 and its closestadjacent guide wall 23, 24, 25, and 26, respec tively, is mounted in arow a plurality of rollers 27,which, in turn, are rotatably mounted ontransverse shafts 28. Between the partitions 18 and 19, however, extendrelatively long rollers 29 mounted on shafts 31. The uppermost point inthe periphery of each of the rollers lies slightly above the upper edgeof its adjacent guide wall. At its upper edge the guide wall 23 isprovided with a flange 32, while the guide wall 24 is similarly providedwith a flange 33. The flanges 32 and 33 are directed toward one anotherand their adjacent edges are parallel vertical planes defining a narrowgap "which is slightly larger than the thickness of the keel of a waterski. The guide walls 25 and 26 are similarly provided with flanges 34and 35 which also define a narrow gap for the keel of a water ski. Theinner upper corner of the partition 17 is provided with a rubber cornicestrip 36, while a similar cornice strip 37 is attached to theinwardlydirected upper corner of the partition 21. The upper corners ofthe partition 18 are covered by a U-shaped rubber strip 38, while asimilar rubber strip 39 protects the upper edges of the partition 19. i

Mounted on the forward ends of the partitions 18 and 19 is a mountingblock 41 carrying on its outer surface a metal guide bracket 42 carryinga vertically-slidable stop pin 43 which is locked in a selected verticalposition by means of a set screw; the upper end-of the stop pin normallyresides well above the upper level of the peripheries of the rollers 29which lie between the partitions 13 and 19.

The leg 13 is formed from metal tubing material and is provided withapertures 44; it is carried for vertical sliding in guide brackets 45and 46, the lower bracket 46 being provided with an adjusting pin 47which is engageable with the apertures 44. The brackets 45 and 46 aremounted on a vertical supporting member 48 which is nailed at its upperend to the outer side of the partition 21.

From the lower end of the supporting member 48 to the method ofattachment is provided for the legs 14 and 15 at the rearward end of themain body. As is evident in 3 FIG. 1, the guide walls 23, 24, 25, and 26extend rearwardly a considerably greater distance than the partitions17, 18, 19, and 21.

The seat 16, which is removably supported at the rearward end of themain body, consists of two vertical legs 53 and 54 joined at their upperends by a horizontal seating member 55, the assemblage being formed intoa unitary construction by a brace 56 extending between the legs 53 and54 and the seating member 55. Fastened to the lower end of the leg 53 onthe inner surface is a stop board 57 whose lower edge is generallyhorizontal and is spaced upwardly from and parallel to the lower edge ofthe leg 53. A similar stop board 58 is fastened on the inwardlydirectedsurface of the leg 54 of the seat 16. The stop board 57 rests on theupper surface of the partition 17 while the stop board 58 rests on theupper edge of the partition 21, the legs hanging outside of thesepartitions and pressing against the outer surfaces thereof to lock theseat in place.

FIG. 3 shows particularly well the manner in which the rollers 27 areformed. In the preferred embodiment the roller is formed by injectionmolding from a tough abrasive-resistant material, such as nylon, whichhas the added feature of being self-lubricating in the presence ofwater. The roller 27 is a generally cylindrical member having an annularrecess 59 entering one end and leaving a tubular portion 61 and a hubportion 62 joined by an end Web 63. The roller is formed with ahorizontal bore 64 through which extends the shaft 28 which, in thepreferred embodiment, is formed of stainless steel.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that between each pair of therollers 27 is located a filler bar 65 having a broad upper surface 66which is horizontal and which is slightly below a horizontal planetangent to the upper peripheries of the rollers 27. The bar 65 is trape-16 is placed upon the main body 11 in a position generally determined bythe length of the starting operation which is desired, the proficiencyof the skier, and the type of skiing which is to be done. Assuming thatthe skier is to use two skis, the normal position of the seat would beat the extreme rear end of the main body, but it will be understood thatthe seat can be moved along the upper edges of the side partitions 17and 21 to any position intermediate of the ends. One of the skis isplaced on the rollers 27 between the partition 17 and the partition 18with its keel lying in the gap between the vertical edges of the flanges32 and 33 of the guide walls 23 and 24, respectively. Similarly, theother ski is laid on the upper surfaces of the two rows of rollers 27which lie between the partitions 19 and 21 with its keel lying in thenarrow gap between the vertical edges of the flanges 34 and 35associated, respectively, with the guide walls 25 and 26. It will beunderstood that the space between the facing surfaces of the partitions17 and 18 is somewhat larger than the width of a water ski, while thespace between the fac- 1 ing surfaces of the partitions 19 and 21 is ofthe same size.

The skier sits on the seat 16 and places his feet in the harness of theskis. It will be understood, therefore, that the rear ends of the skiswill extend in between the legs of the seat and substantially rearwardlyof the seat itself. In some positions of starting, therefore, therearward extensions of the guide walls will be used. The skier thengrasps the free end of the towing rope, the other end of which isattached to the motor boat, and the motor boat proceeds forwardly. Itwill be understood, of course, that the motorboat can start from zerospeed with the rope taut. The boat can also swing around in a loop insuch a way that the rope is loose until the boat is moving directly awayfrom the skier, so that the motor boat is going at a substantial speedwhen the rope is finally drawn taut. With this last procedure theacceleration of the skier, of course, is much faster. In any event, theforward pull of the motor boat causes the skier to be pulled forwardlyoff the seat 16 and the skis will roll over the upper peripheries of therollers 27. Eventually, the skier and the skis will leave the forwardend of the main body (which is located either in or closely adjacent tothe water) and by that time the speed of the skier is great enough toset up the hydrodynamic forces necessary to support him on the surfaceof the water.

When the type of skiing involves the use of one ski or the so-calledslalom skiing, it is very difficult to start with only the one ski, so asmall balance ski is used. This ski is placed in the space between thepartitions 18 and 19 resting on the rollers 29. The small balance ski isquite short and is provided with an easily releasable harness. Theskiers left foot is placed in the slalom ski which lies in the spacebetween the partitions 19 and 21, while his right foot rests on thebalance ski. When the motor boat pulls the skier forward, eventually thebalance ski reaches the front end of the main body 11 and strikes thestop pin The skier with his slalom skicontinues to move forwardly ontothe Water, while the balance ski remains behind nestled against the stoppin.

The partitions, guide walls, and the main structural members of the mainbody may be formed of wood or they may be formed of a more durablewaterproof plastic. The fact that the rollers are mounted on stainlesssteel shafts assures that the shaft surface will remain smooth and theroller will always rotate freely on the shaft. This is particularlytrue, if (as in the preferred embodiment) the rollers are formed ofnylon. A little water splashed over the surface of the apparatus willprovide the water lubrication necessary to cause the rollers 27 torotate very freely on their shafts.

The cornice strips 36 and 37 associated with the partitions 17 and 21 aswell as the rubber strips 38 and 39 mounted in the upper edges of thepartitions 18 and 19 serve to protect the skier from splinters andsharp'edges. In the same way, the filler bars 65 prevents the edge of aski or the like from catching between the rollers.

lt'is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form andconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to theexact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include allsuch as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new anddesired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A starter for use with water skis having keels, comprising a mainbody of rectangular form which is generally elongated in one direction,a plurality of vertical legs attached to the main body and verticallyadjustable relative thereto, two guides mounted on the body, each guideconsisting of two parallel rows of rollers extending in the said onedirection, a filler bar extending between each adjacent pair of rollersin the same row, each bar having a generally fiat upper surface whichlies below the tops of the rollers and which extends from closely Xadjacent the surface of one roller to closely adjacent the;

surface of the other, each guide being provided with two parallelpartitions facing each other from opposite sides of the rows of rollersand extending above the rollers a substantial distance, the rows of eachguide being separated by a gap, each roller being mounted for rotationon a horizontal axis extending transversely of the said one direction,guide means associated with the said gap to engage the sides of the keeland to restrict the movement of the ski to the said one direction, thesaid guide means consisting of two parallel walls having upper edgesthat are below the tops of the rollers, a flange extending from the topedge of each wall toward the other, the flanges having adjacent edgesdefining the said gap, and a seat whose position along the main body isadjustable, the seat having a horizontal seating member which overliesand extends across the two guides.

' 2. A starter for use with water skis having keels, comprising a mainbody of rectangular form which is generally elongated in one direction,two guides mounted on the body, each guide consisting of two parallelrows of rollers extending in the said one direction, a filler barextending between each adjacent pair of rollers in the same row, eachbar having a generally fiat upper surface which lies below the tops ofthe rollers and which extends from closely adjacent the surface of oneroller to closely adjacent the surface of the other, each guide beingprovided with two parallel partitions facing each other from oppositesides of the rows of rollers and extending above the rollers asubstantial distance, the rows of each guide being separated by a gap,each roller being mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis extendingtransversely of the said one direction, guide means associated with thesaid gap to engage the sides of the keel and to restrict the movement ofthe ski to the said one direction, the said guide means consisting oftwo parallel walls having upper edges that are below the tops of therollers, a

flange extending from the top edge of each wall toward the other, theflanges having adjacent edges defining the said gap, and a seat whoseposition along the main body is adjustable, theseat having a horizontalseating member which overlies and extends across the two guides.

3. A starter for use with a pair of water skis, each ski having a keel,comprising a main body which is generally elongated in one direction,two guides mounted on the body, each guide consisting of two parallelrows of rollers extending in the said one direction, the rows of eachguide being separated by a gap, each roller being mounted for rotationon an axis at a right angle to the said one direction, and guide meansassociated with the said gap to engage the sides of the keel and torestrict the movement of the ski to the said one direction, and

a seat whose position along the main body is adjustable, the seat havinga horizontal seating member which overlies and extends across the twoguides.

4. A starter for use with a pair of water skis, each ski having a keel,comprising a main body which is generally elongated in one direction,two guides mounted on the body, each guide consisting of two parallelrows of rollers extending in the said one direction, the rows of eachguide being separated by a gap, each roller being mounted for rotationon an axis at a right angle to the said one direction, and guide meansassociated with the said gap to engage the sides of the keel and torestrict the movement of the ski to the said one direction, and a seathaving a horizontal seating member which overlies and extends across thetwo guides.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 88,704 4/69 Foote193-35 363,914 5/87 Rogers 193-35 387,733 8/88 Pusey 193-35 X 1,103,9717/14 Kratky 193-35 2,118,195 5/38 Hague 193-35 2,821,301 1/58 Montague193-35 X 2,949,863 8/60 Cozzoli 193-35 2,970,682 2/61 Fisk 193-352,973,073 2/61 Elliott 193-35 FOREIGN PATENTS 754,346 8/56 GreatBritain.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

1. A STARTER FOR USE WITH WATER SKIS HAVING KEELS, COMPRISING A MAIN BODY OF RECTANGULAR FORM WHICH IS GENERALLY ELONGATED IN ONE DIRECTION, A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL LEGS ATTACHED TO THE MAIN BODY AND VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE RELATIVE THERETO, TWO GUIDES MOUNTED ON THE BODY, EACH GUIDE CONSISTING OF TWO PARALLEL ROWS OF ROLLERS EXTENDING IN THE SAID ONE DIRECTION, A FILLER BAR EXTENDING BETWEEN EACH ADJACENT PAIR OF ROLLERS IN THE SAME ROW, EACH BAR HAVING A GENERALLY FLAT UPPER SURFACE WHICH LIES BELOW THE TOPS OF THE ROLLERS AND WHICH EXTENDS FROM CLOSELY ADJACENT THE SURFACE OF ONE ROLLER TO CLOSELY ADJACENT THE SURFACE OF THE OTHER, EACH GUIDE BEING PROVIDED WITH TWO PARALLEL PARTITIONS FACING EACH OTHER FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ROWS OF ROLLERS AND EXTENDING ABOVE THE ROLLERS A SUBSTANTIALLY DISTANCE, THE ROWS OF EACH GUIDE THE ROLLERS A RATED BY A GAP, EACH ROLLER BEING MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE SAID ONE DIRECTION, GUIDE MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAID GAP TO ENGAGE THE SIDES OF THE KEEL AND TO RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE SKI TO THE SAID ONE DIRECTION, THE SAID GUIDE MEANS CONSISTING OF TWO PARALLEL WALLS HAVING UPPER EDGES THAT ARE BELOW THE TOPS OF THE ROLLERS, A FLANGE EXTENDING FROM THE TOP EDGE OF EACH WALL TOWARD THE OTHER, THE FLANGES HAVING ADJACENT EDGES DEFINING THE SAID GAP, AND A SEAT WHOSE POSITION ALONG THE MAIN BODY IS ADJUSTABLE, THE SEAT HAVING A HORIZONTAL SEATING MEMBER WHICH OVERLIES AND EXTENDS ACROSS THE TWO GUIDES. 